Category Archives: For men

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Man-Handled

Winter. Whether you’re a snow-loving, outdoor sports-playing fan of the season or more of the I’d-rather-hibernate-until-spring type, we can all agree that this time of year comes with its own special set of beauty problems. Take, for example, your skin. The combination of icy outdoor temps and dry indoor heat can leave your skin parched, chapped, flaky and red. Your cuticles crack. Your face gets patchy and dry. Not only is the look less than desirable, it feels awful.

Now, most of ladies are well-versed in the seasonal skincare switch-up. We know that when the days get shorter, our night creams get thicker and the frequency with which we apply hand lotion is greatly increased. But the men in our lives are not always so eager to change up their routines, assuming they have one in the first place. Sadly, I know a lot of guys who think that anything more than a basic shave-shower-shampoo routine is unmanly. As a result, they suffer the winter months with dry, cracked, itchy hands and faces. It can’t feel good. But I have good news: there’s an easy solution.
lubriderm2
A couple months ago I picked up a bottle of Lubriderm Men’s 3-in-1 Lotion for my fiancé to try. I was intrigued by its claim to be suitable as a body, face and post-shave lotion, and encouraged him to give it a try. It sat on the bathroom counter for a while, but eventually he started using it. At first he smoothed some on after shaving. We both were surprised at how smooth his face felt, and for how long – a good 24 hours later his skin was still silky smooth. Then he started using it on his hands whenever they felt particularly dry. It absorbed quickly and instantly cured the dry skin. With regular use, the cracked cuticles and dried up hangnails disappeared. This lotion isn’t the least bit greasy, and it has a light, masculine fragrance that is unbelievably sexy. My man says it’s the best lotion he’s ever used.

So, to all the men who are reading this, please don’t be afraid to take care of your skin. More and more companies are creating products formulated especially for you, and this Lubriderm lotion is an excellent example. And ladies, if your man is sporting a flaky face and chapped hands this winter, buy him a bottle of this multi-tasking wonder. You’ll love how soft his skin feels – and how good he smells – I promise.

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Complexion Perfection: Beauty Resolutions Part II

First and foremost, please allow me to apologize for the tardiness of this post. Due to unforeseen technical difficulties I was unable to complete it last weekend, and before I knew it the workweek had come and gone. I know a poor complexion is no laughing matter, and we all want to look our best when we face (pun intended) each day. In my opinion, having great skin – and by that I mean truly great, not just great-looking when made up – is a huge confidence booster and one of the biggest ways you can transform your appearance for the better (right up there with tweezing your eyebrows and getting a flattering haircut). So, in the spirit of not giving up on our resolutions this year, let’s get started.
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There are many different types of skin concerns that we tend to obsess over. In fact, ask any female over the age of 9 and she probably has some sort of grievance with her skin. Too oily. Too dry. A little too much of both. Acne. Wrinkles. Dark spots. Dark circles. Not enough glow. The good news is, there are products out there that address each of these problems. The bad news is that I have not tried them all. However, while I will provide a list of skincare products that I recommend for some of these issues, the majority of this post will be about techniques and best practices that can help us all improve our complexions, while also helping maximize the results from whatever products and treatments we do decide to use. No matter what our skin concerns are, we all have to start in the same place:

Have a Plan: A skincare plan, that is. Basically, the number one most important thing you must do in order to have nice, clear, glowing skin is stick to a regular skincare routine (I’ve written about this before, and if you want a more in-depth look at my plan you may want to refer to Fresh Faced). Those with oily skin do well with a twice-daily cleanse-tone-moisturize routine, such as the Clinique 3-Step program. In fact, step three, the Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion, is one of the all-around best moisturizers available for any skin type. If you have skin that’s on the dry side, like I do, you may find toner to be too drying for your skin – I usually skip it during the winter. I also only use a cleanser at nighttime – I simply splash my face with warm water in the morning – I find that over-cleansing my skin makes it look worse. If your current once-or-twice daily washing routine doesn’t seem to be working for you, try adding or subtracting a daily cleansing and see if your skin balances out. If you don’t currently have a regular routine, start one! And let’s face it, even with the best of intentions there will be a night or two when you just cannot bring yourself to walk into the bathroom and properly wash your face. Do your skin a favor and buy yourself some cleansing cloths to stash beside your bed. There are many good ones available now that are packed with good-skin extras and leave your skin soft instead of stripped. I love the pomegranate wipes by Korres and the drugstore line Simple.

Be a Quitter: This should go without saying but I know it often doesn’t. If you are looking for an easy way to drastically improve the health and appearance of your skin, and are currently a smoker, quit smoking. Even though we all know it’s bad for us, vanity can be the biggest motivator when it comes to stopping smoking. And it’s easy to convince yourself that smoking doesn’t make that much of a difference in something like your skin, but it really, really does. I have seen first hand how much better a person’s complexion looks after successfully quitting cigarettes. Did you know that smoking is one of the biggest contributing factors in whether or not you have dark circles under your eyes? Speaking of eyes, would you like the fine lines around yours to diminish? Or perhaps you’d like to look five to ten years younger in general. I promise you, quitting smoking will make your skin look so much better you will hate yourself for not quitting sooner.

Treat Yourself: As I mentioned above, there is a treatment for any and every skin concern you may have. Once you find one that works for you, it is incredibly important that you use it regularly. Just having a miracle potion in your medicine cabinet will not make your skin glow – you must actually put it on your face! It’s like going to the salon, buying the serum your stylist uses to make you look amazing, and then forgetting to ever use it yourself and wondering why your hair never looks as good when you style it at home. I know lots of ladies with potent products sitting on their bathroom shelves who never take the time to kick back and relax for the duration of a 15-minute purifying mask. I recommend picking a day and making your treatment a part of your regular routine. Maybe you’ll have more than one! For example, I often use an at-home peel on Friday nights and do a face mask on Sundays. Make your specific skin treatment part of your regular skincare plan so that you can see consistent results. The goal is to have great skin all the time, not just when on vacation or when we happen to remember. (Not sure what treatment to use? See my list of recommended products, below, for a few suggestions.)

Clari-fy: It’s time to bring out the big guns. Even if you’re already doing all the things listed above, there’s still room for improvement. You can clean your face cleaner. Your treatments can treat better. How? By investing in a Clarisonic.

Money well spent.

Money well spent.

These oscillating skin cleansing brushes are expensive, yes, but they really do live up to the hype. I’m not sure how it’s possible, but my skin feels softer every single time I use it. The brush uses sonic technology to gently clean skin and remove impurities that are trapped in pores. Not only does this lead to cleaner skin, which means fewer breakouts and blemishes, but it also allows any products that are applied after cleansing to be better absorbed by the skin, making our moisturizers and treatments more effective. The Clarisonic comes in a variety of colors and sizes; I personally own a Mia, which is a slightly less expensive travel-sized version. Again, these babies aren’t cheap, but they come with a warranty and are worth every penny.

Get Some Sleep: This tip is two-fold. First of all, like smoking, chronic lack of sleep is terrible for your health and wreaks havoc on your skin. It’s another leading cause of dark circles (obviously) and it also leads to that overall dull and lifeless look that none of us is going for. It really is amazing what a few consecutive eight-hour nights of sleep can do for a person. Especially when you practice part two of this tip: take advantage of this downtime to really ramp up your routine. Nighttime is the right time to slather on those thick creams and heavy treatments that go the extra mile. With a full eight hours to soak in, overnight treatments can do your skin a lot of good. My latest skincare obsession is Korres Wild Rose + Vitamin C Advanced Brightening Sleeping Facial. This jar of magic contains a super thick cream with a delightfully sweet and rosy scent. I smooth it all over my face and neck, and wake up with skin that is insanely soft and glowing. The kind of glow that renders makeup optional, if not downright unnecessary.

Korres Wild Rose + Vitamin C Advanced Brightening Sleeping Facial

Korres Wild Rose + Vitamin C Advanced Brightening Sleeping Facial

Not only that, this stuff leaves you looking well-rested and refreshed, even on days when you are feeling anything but rested. Pairing the sleeping facial with the Clarisonic is such a skincare double whammy that I kind of feel like I’m cheating at life when I do it. I highly recommend it.

Recommended Products: This is in no way an exhaustive list, but I figured I’d share a few of the things that have worked well for me. I’m always testing new things so if you have a question about a specific product or are looking for a certain treatment, feel free to leave a comment here or on the Questions? page.

Anti-Aging - In addition to clearing and brightening skin, minimizing pores, and decreasing excess oil, Dr Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel smooths fine lines and wrinkles and instantly firms skin. I like to follow it up with Philosophy Miracle Worker, a firming, plumping and softening moisturizer that protects the skin against all signs of aging.

Exfoliators – Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream is a great gentle scrub, even on sensitive skin. Murad Pomegranate Exfoliating Mask uses fruit enzymes to dissolve dull and dry skin and leaves you looking bright.

Eyes – I really like Clinique’s All About Eyes line. I use the de-puffing eye-massage roll-on to cool and brighten on rough mornings, and the rich eye cream at night to help prevent dark circles and crinkles around the eye area.

Pimples and Pores - No surprises here: Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque is still my top recommendation for shrinking pores and eliminating pimples and blackheads.

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Beauty Quickie: 3 Minute Facial

Who: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare
What: Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel
When: Every Saturday night
Where: My bed
Why: This fast-acting, two-step at-home peel will completely change your skin, in a matter of minutes. Unlike other at-home peels, where you’re left peering at yourself in the mirror, trying to identify microscopic improvements to your complexion, there’s no mistaking what this one will do for you. I use it once a week, and am left with the softest, smoothest skin and a natural glow that lasts for days – I often actually leave the house on Sunday mornings without a stitch of makeup – and get complimented on my skin. The Alpha Beta peel is safe for sensitive skin, minimizes pores, smooths wrinkles, calms redness and evens skin tone. Basically, it does everything we want a skincare product to do – in three minutes. I follow it up with a generous layer of Philosophy Miracle Worker moisturizer. My skin has never looked better.

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I Smell Effective Advertising

I firmly believe in supporting brands whose advertising efforts speak to me. If a commercial makes me smile, or better yet, makes me laugh, I’m far more inclined to purchase the advertised product. If I find a commercial annoying, on the other hand, I’m likely to declare a boycott on all of that brand’s products. And though I do allow myself to sometimes fall for a good advertising ploy, I don’t think I have ever seen such effective advertising as the Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue fragrance commercial.

Not only have I become completely entranced by this uber-sexy spot, I’m pretty sure that wearing this fragrance will make both me and my significant other look and feel like sexy supermodels on holiday.

Which is why I’m now wearing Light Blue, and my boyfriend now owns Light Blue for Men deodorant.

For the record, we both smell amazing.

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Fresh Faced

I don’t know any girl who wouldn’t love to wake up each morning and go about her day with glowing skin, perfect hair and a kick-ass outfit. I certainly would. And luckily for me, although my perfect hair days are few and far between and my outfits are usually just a little bit off, I’ve got pretty great skin. Sure, good genes play a part in the equation, but I also credit my skincare routine and a few key beauty products. And so, in the spirit of the season, I’d like to share some of my favorite products and best practices, so you, too, can enjoy the gift of great skin!

First and foremost, it’s important to stick to a regular skincare routine. Daily cleansing and moisturizing is a must, and weekly treatments such as face masks or chemical peels will only improve your complexion. I personally start each day by splashing my face with warm water, patting it dry, and following up with a tinted moisturizer with SPF. My favorite happens to be ultra-affordable: CoverGirl CG Smoothers Tinted Moisture. I have combination skin that’s on the dry side, and this SPF 15 formula leaves my skin soft and flake-free without ever looking oily. Plus, the light tint smooths minor blemishes and evens skintone – it’s my number one tip for faking flawless skin.

Another pretty-skin secret? Complexion enhancers and cheek stains. It’s a rare day that I don’t apply one. I love Benefit’s various versions. My favorites are High Beam, a light pink highlighter, and Posie Tint, a poppy pink stain that creates the prettiest, healthiest, most natural looking glow. It’s my go-to product when I’m looking for a bit of a flush.

Once I’ve smoothed on my tinted moisturizer and a complexion enhancer, I usually finish my face with a dusting of powder. I’m still obsessed with Make Up For Ever HD High Definition Powder. A bit on my nose and chin and my pores vanish and any extra shine is kept at bay.

Those are the products I use on a daily basis to keep my complexion looking fresh, but the easiest way to look like you have healthy, glowing skin is to actually have it! I only use plain water to wash up in the morning, but at night I lather up with my favorite face wash, Philosophy Purity Made Simple. This one-step cleanser is mild and effective; I gently massage it into my skin for at least 60 full seconds before rinsing off with warm water. Then I follow up with a thicker nighttime moisturizer. I vary my evening moisturizer based on season, but right now I’m using Philosophy Miracle Worker. This ultrasmooth anti-aging formula has a satiny texture that my skin drinks right up. After a few days of using it I noticed my skin felt softer and a persistent blemish on my chin was fading fast; after weeks of use, it’s my new favorite skincare product.

These products may work for you or you may have your own favorites, but no matter what you use, the most important thing is to be consistent. Take the time to take care of your skin, and it will pay off. Before you know it, you may wake with a gorgeous, glowing complexion. A perfect hair day can’t be far behind.

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Something for Everyone

I know, I know, it’s been weeks since I posted last, and many of you are probably jonesing for your weekly dose of gloss. Have no fear, my lovelies! I have been working on a major upgrade to the blog, which will be launched in the new year. In the mean time, I thought I’d help you finish off your holiday shopping with some gift ideas for everyone on your list.

For your best friend: I love a good holiday gift set, and this year my favorite is the Philosophy Peppermint Bark gift set. It comes in a cute candy cane striped tin, and contains a mint-chocolate bubble bath/body wash, as well as a matching sheer red lip gloss that I LOVE. You might want to get one for yourself as well – I did.

For your brother/boyfriend/husband/dad: There are many more man-friendly products and gifts on the market these days than you might think. Brands like Nivea, Axe, and Old Spice all make gift sets. I particularly like Old Spice, which comes in a variety of new scents that are amazing. Check out the Matterhorn and Denali scents; my boyfriend and I both agree that these smell the best.

For your mom/sister/grandma: Why not give the gift of lovely hands this year? A gift certificate for a manicure is always appreciated, but if you want to give a gift that’s a bit more hands-on (pun intended), there are several great hand products to choose from. Tweezerman makes mini nail-files that come in a matchbox and couldn’t be cuter. Perfect Formula Pink Gel Coat is my absolute favorite when it comes to day-to-day nail maintenance – it is a clear gel that strengthens nails and leaves them with a healthy, sheer pink shine. And a nice hand cream rounds out any at-home manicure kit. I like Aveeno Active Naturals Intense Relief Hand Cream, and the full line of Arnica hand creams (available at yvesrocherusa.com).

Stocking Stuffers: If you’re like me, you love walking down the sample-size aisle of any drugstore. Mini bottles of shampoo, shaving cream, and body lotion are not only adorable and affordable, but they make great testers and stocking stuffers. If you want to snazz up your stockings this year, you can also check out the beauty minis section at sephora.com. You can find anything from itty bitty perfumes and moisturizers to travel-sized mascaras and lip balms.

Merry Christmas, and happy shopping to all!

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Cheap Thrills

Hello loyal readers, my apologies for the gap between posts! I’ve been a very busy girl, having just moved into a new house! After lots of planning, weeks of packing, and days of moving, I am sore, exhausted, and sublimely happy to be moved in.

That being said, let’s get down to beauty. I am always on the lookout for great beauty products at every price range. And this time of year, when the Holidays are creeping up on us, I find myself both drawn to the holiday beauty displays (there are so many!) and overwhelmed with guilt if I purchase something for myself. After all, I’m supposed to be doing my holiday shopping! So this week I’ve decided to share a few of my favorite cheapies, so you, too, can buy yourself a little pretty, without a lot of cash (or guilt).

Aquaphor Healing Ointment: This miracle cure-all is as good as everyone says it is. Especially in colder winter months, I keep a tube in my purse, one in my desk, and one on my nightstand. It’s super moisturizing and protective. I use it on chapped lips, dry elbows, and my sore nose after a cold. My boyfriend puts it on his face to avoid windburn before cold weather outdoor activities. It’s a wonder-product, and you can get a two pack of the mini tubes for around five or six bucks. Worth it.

Suave Tropical Coconut Shampoo and Conditioner: Ringing in at about two dollars and fifty cents a bottle, Suave Tropical Coconut Shampoo and Tropical Coconut Conditioner both smell amazing. Imagine the way your hair would smell if you were on a tropical getaway and smothered yourself in sun tan lotion and tropical perfumes, while sipping exotic beverages out of a coconut shell. That is how good this shampoo smells. As an added bonus, it makes hair super soft without becoming greasy.

Wet N Wild Idol Eyes Creme Shadow: For a whopping one dollar and ninety-nine cents, go buy yourself one (or several) of these creamy eyeshadow crayons. They glide on easily, look gorgeous on, and wash or wipe off easy too. My favorite shade is Pixie, and shimmery beige.

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Simplicity

If you’re anything like me, you’re a little bit lazy. Not super lazy, but the kind of lazy that comes from being busy and tired, and from not having enough days off from work. Sometimes, at the end of the day, instead of making the full, nutritious meal I’d planned for dinner I throw a frozen pizza in the oven and call it good. And sometimes, even though I know it’s bad for me, I go to bed without washing off my makeup.

I know it’s not worth it. I mean, the consequences are not pretty. Clogged pores. Red, burning, sensitive eyes as a result of mascara rubbed into them. But when I’m tired, and worn out, and just want to fall into bed, taking the time to cleanse, tone and moisturize just seems like too much work.

Enter my favorite new skin care product, Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleansing Cloths. The geniuses at Philosophy have taken their fantastic Purity Made Simple  facewash and turned it into a clean-smelling, face-freshening wipe that leaves skin soft. I find that many one-step cleansing cloths dry out the skin, but Purity Made Simple does not. In one simple step I can wipe off my makeup and be done with it.

So now I get to be lazy and have great skin. Which is a plan I can commit to.

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Manscaping

A guy friend of mine recently confessed to having a somewhat unusual grooming habit: he waxes his chest. Evidently, he’s been using an at home kit for a while, but has just discovered a local salon that will do it for him. He describes the salon experience as comfortable and relaxing – soothing music, hot wax, and the confidence that comes with feeling good in your own skin are well worth the money.

Not knowing many men who wax or even shave their chest hair, I had to know, why does he do it? I assumed his wife preferred a smooth chest. Not so. She actually makes fun of him for enduring the procedure, although she agrees that he looks good when all is said and done. No, my chest-waxing friend does it because it makes him feel good.

I can’t argue with that logic. I don’t curl my lashes, paint my nails, or straighten my hair because anyone else likes it. I do it for me.

The whole chest-waxing conversation got me thinking about male grooming in general, or manscaping, if you will. Our society is increasingly more open to manscaping. More and more men visit salons for basic procedures like manicures and pedicures. Some even get their eyebrows waxed. I like that men are getting to enjoy some of the pampering that we ladies have long enjoyed, but I have to admit, a guy that spends more time in the salon than I do and uses more products to get ready is a turn off. Here, some guidelines on manscaping:

Face: Whether or not you rock facial hair pretty much depends on you and your face. Some guys look good with it, some guys look good without it, but either way, you should never let your beard run wild. An electric razor works great for touching up and grooming a bearded face, but when it comes to getting super smooth, a good old-fashioned razor and shaving cream can’t be beat. My boyfriend has been using Gillette Fusion HydraGel with his disposable razors and his skin is amazingly soft. An added bonus? It smells amazing. Also, I may or may not have stolen some of the shave gel to use while shaving my legs yesterday. (Let’s just say my legs feel like satin!)

Body Hair: As my waxing friend’s decision indicates, this is really a personal choice. Honestly, if you like a smooth chest, feel free to wax. If you’re proud of your chest hair, let it grow. But a basic rule of thumb for body hair is this: if you can’t cover your chest hair with a tee-shirt, it might be time to do a little trimming. Also, if there is enough fuzz on your back to be called back hair, take care of it. We ladies shave our legs and armpits daily so nobody has to look at our unsightly hair. We don’t want to see yours either.

And as far as grooming, ahem, below the belt is concerned, I will just say this; if you expect your significant other to do it, you’d best be prepared to do it too.

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Eat Pretty

Lately I’ve been on a mission to live a little healthier – I’ve been making an effort to drag my lazy butt off the couch and get some excercise, and I’ve also been trying to change my eating habits. I’ve given up butter, I’ve switched to fat-free yogurt, and my daily fruit and vegetable count is slowly but surely increasing.

All of this healthy eating got me thinking, how can I change my diet to gain clearer skin and shinier hair in addition to lower cholesterol and a smaller pant size? So I did a little research, and found some especially helpful articles on WebMD. In the lists of foods that are said to improve hair and skin, there are a few that overlap. Here, the foods to choose if you want to eat pretty:

Low-fat dairy

Whole grains

Salmon

Nuts

Poultry

In addition, those who want to focus on their skin should reach for berries and green tea, while those who are concerned about their hair should choose dark green vegetables like spinach or brocolli, and protein-rich eggs.

Some of my favorite eat-pretty choices? Stonyfield Farm Fat Free Yogurt, Yoplait Light Yogurt, and Olivia’s Organics Baby Spinach Salad.